Oil reclaimer



. M), 1935. I P. WILLIAMS 8 OIL RECLAIMER Filed March 31, 1933 PatentedDec. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES OIL RECLAHVIER Paul Williams, Detroit,Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Skinner Purifiers, Inc., acorporation of Delaware Application March 31, 1933, Serial No. 663,760

3 Claims.

My invention pertains to features of betterment and improvement inappliances for reclaiming or purifying lubricating oil contaminated byliquid and/or solid foreign matters, such as the used oil ofinternal-combustion engines.

Owing to the fact that such lubricant usually contains vaporizablegasoline and water, the reclamation of the oil under the action of heatand subatmospheric pressure presents substantial difiiculties, due tothe fact that the oil for its purification must be heated to atemperature materially higher than that at which the contained water ormoisture is converted into steam, and, unless special provisions aremade, the body r of oil is likely to foam and fluff and to be suckedover into the suction-pump and lost.

My invention aims to overcome this and other difficulties and to providea comparatively simple device for accomplishing the desired results.

According to the principle of my invention, a small portion only of themain body of oil to be treated is directly heated so that there is nosubstantial body of hot water or moisture which can be suddenlyconverted into steam, such heating and the partial vacuum presentpurifying such small quantity of oil which, by thermo-syphon action, isreturned to the main supply, the latter being gradually heated thereby,as will be readily understood.

Stated somewhat otherwise, a small part of the oil is continuouslypurified and returned to the main body which in time gradually becomescompletely freed of its detrimental volatile constituents, the solidimpurities being subsequently removed by filtering.

To permit those acquainted with this art to understand the invention,both from structural and functional standpoints, in the accompanyingdrawing I have shown a present, preferred embodiment of the inventionwhich is described in detail below, and for ease in understanding theconstruction like reference numerals have been employed to designate thesame parts throughout the views.

In this drawing:

Figure 1 is a partial, vertical section through the central portion ofthe reclaimer;

Figure 2 is a detail of the float-controlled switch;

Figure 3 illustrates the electric circuit of the temperature-indicator;

Figure 4 is an enlarged section through the oildelivery valve-mechanism;and

Figure 5 is a detail section through the electric relay or switch.

By reference to this drawing, it will be noted that the new apparatusincludes a circular, metal oil-tank ll having a flat top I2 equippedwith an upstanding, cylindrical dome l3 ofi-set from, but parallel to,the axis of the tank. 5

As is clearly shown, the bottom it of such tank is of hopper orinverted-cone shape, and it is provided with a downwardly-extended,elongated, cylindrical casing l5 forming a pocket in direct connectionwith, and parallel to the axis of, the tank and also located directlybelow the dome i3.

At its bottom, such pocket or supplemental chamber i5 is fitted with asludge drain-pipe [5 having a controlling valve or faucet ll by means ofwhich the accumulated sludge may be withdrawn from time to time, asoccasion requires.

Such tank ll, including its upper dome l3 and also pocket I5, issupported in a suitably-shaped casing or housing 26, and the tank andits associated parts are fully heat-insulated by surroundingmineral-wool l8 or other appropriate material accommodated in the spacebetween the two separated elements.

The tank and its complementary pocket or lower supplemental reservoirhold the oil while it is undergoing the purifying or reclaiming process.

The vaporization portion of the appliance includes a sheet-metalcylinder [9 located in part in the tank l I and with its lower portionaccommodated centrally in the pocket i5.

Internally such cylinder He has a concentric, upright tube or elongatedchamber 2i opening through the top wall 22 of the cylinder and throughthe bottom wall 23 thereof.

Just outside of such chamber or tube 2| one or more electric-heaters 24,usually three in number, is or are employed and of which only one isdepicted in the drawing, the space between the heater or heaters and thecasing l 9 being packed with mineral-wool 25 or its equivalent, wherebypractically all of the heat generated in the one or more heater-strips24 is conducted to the chamber 2| and its contents.

On its top such wall It! has an upstanding, cylindrical baffle 26 of thesame diameter open at its top and provided in its side, just above thewall 22, with a slot or delivery-port 21.

As is fully shown, the entrance to the bottom of the inner tube 2| iscontrolled by a temperatureregulated valve 28, the opening and closingof which is governed by a thermostat 29 located inside of the baflie 26and connected to the valve 28 by a rod 3| extending down through thetube to the valve, such thermostat, as illustrated,

being below the level of the oil undergoing treatment.

A suitable conduit 32, opening through the top wall 22 and through thetop of the dome l3, serves to cover and protect the lead-in wires forthe electric-heaters, the latter raising the temperature of the oil inthe vaporization-tube 2| and keeping it in circulation. The lead out forthe wires also makes a breather to eliminate pressure in this otherwiseair-tight chamber when the heaters are turned on.

The upper portion of dome I3 is connected by a conduit 33 to a suctionpump or fan 34 driven by an electric-motor 35, the delivery-pipe 39 ofthe pump or fan connecting with an erect vaporoutlet pipe 37, the upperend of which preferably discharges outside of the building, the lowerend of pipe 3! being connected to the top of an elongated,vertically-disposed diluent-tank 38 equipped with a drain-valve 39 atits bottom.

' A bleeder-pipe 4i connects the upper part of the diluent-tank 38 withthe interior of the oiltank II above the oil-level therein.

An angular pipe-connection 42 fitted with a removable plug 43 leads fromthe outside of the casing 29 through the insulation-packing l8 to theinterior of the tank II and is supplied for the purpose of introducingthe impure oil into the tank for reclamation, the plug being inserted toclose and seal the structure after such filling.

The temperature of the oil in tank II is measured and indicated by anappropriate thermometal coil 44 in a pipe or tubular housing 45extending well into the oil from the outside of the tank, thetemperature being shown by a calibrated, semi-circular disc or wheel 46connected with the coil.

As is illustrated in Figure 3, this indicator closes contact between itstwo electric terminals 41 and 48 when the desired temperature tocomplate the reclamation operation has been reached.

In the drawing I have designated such temperature-indicator as a wholeby the reference numeral 49.

An upstanding rod of a sheet-metal oil-float 52 in the tank II isadapted to operate an electrio-switch 53 of the tumbler type which hasthree contacts 54, 55, 56, as shown, for instance, in Figure 2.

A horizontal pipe 51 connects with the top portion of the pocket l5, itsouter end being equipped with a valve-casing 58 fitted with ascrew-threaded valve 59 operable by an accessible external handle 6| toopen and to close the longitudinal port through the casing.

Such valve-member 58 also includes a downwardly-directed port 62 in itslower portion communicating with the main horizontal passage through thecasing 58 and adapted to be opened and closed automatically by a ball 63mounted on a thermostat 64 carried on the lower portion of thevalve-casing.

When the valve 59 is closed, the port 62 is also necessarilyinoperative, but when the valve 59 is retracted to its open position,the port 62 may or may not be open, depending upon the position of itsgoverning ball 83.

Below the oil-delivery port 62, the appliance incorporates a pluralityof registered, verticallyseparated filter racks or screens 65, 65, 65,each of which has a filter-bed 66 of suitable material, so that the oilfiltered by the upper bed'66 will be subsequently filtered by the otherunderlying beds in succession, the completely-filtered oil ultimatelybeing delivered from the lowermost filter-bed into the bottom portion orstorage compartment 61 of the casing or housing 29 from which it may bedrawn off by a manually-operated valve or faucet 68. 5

The electrical connections are as follows:

The outside electrical conductor lines 69 and H connect through fuses72, T2, with the terminals I3, 13 of a double-blade electric-switch 14which has the companion terminals 15 and 16.

One wire 11 of the electric-motor which revolves the suction-fanconnects such motor to the single terminal 54 of the float-controlledswitch 53, the other Wall '18 of the motor being joined to the specifiedswitch-terminal l6.

One wire 8| of the electric-heater is secured to the switch-terminal 15,which in turn, by a wire 19, is joined to terminal 56 of thefloat-operated switch.

The companion wire 82 of the heater is directly connected to a terminal83 of an electro-magnet or relay switch, which terminal, when themovable, U-shaped switch-element 85 on the armature of the switch isclosed, is electrically joined to the other relay-terminal 84, which inturn by a wire 86 is united with the switch-termial 16.

One contact 41 of the temperature-indicator 49 is joined, by a wire 81,to the switch-terminal 15, the companion terminal 48 of the indicator,by a wire 88, being united to the electro-magnetcoil terminal 89 of therelay; the other magnetcoil terminal 9| of the relay being joined by awire 92 to the relay-contact 83, the electro-magnet of such relay orswitch being characterized 93.

Another conductor 94 joins the relay-terminal 89 to the remainingcontact 55 of the fioatoperated switch 53.

The relay, as is shown more clearly in Figure 5, has a hinged, notchedcatch or latch 95 tending to swing upwardly under the influence of itscoiled spring 96, such latch or catch extending forwardly through a slotin a plate 9! secured to and upstanding from the relay-armature 98 onwhich the contact-member 85 is insulatingly mounted.

A push-button 98 is connected to the outer end of the latch and by thismeans such latch may be depressed to allow the armature to rock awayfrom the magnet under the action of its retracting spring 99, thuspermitting its contact 85 to engage the terminals 83 and 84, providedthe magnet is deenergized.

The appliance operates practically as follows:

Assuming that the valves ll, 39, 68, and 59 are all closed, the operatorremoves the plug 43 and pours the polluted oil to be reclaimed orrefined into the tank ll through the connection 42 until the float 52rises sufiiciently to close the switch 53; that is, to make electricalcontact between the terminals 54 and 56.

As soon as the proper amount of oil has been thus introduced into thetank, the plug is rescrewed into place, thus sealing the system.

Assuming further that the main-switch 14 has been preliminarily closed,as soon as the movable bar contact 59 of switch 53 bridges contacts 54and 56, the motor operates the suction-pump and the then-completedcircuit of the motor is as follows: terminal 16, wire 18, electric-motor35, wire TI, contact 54, switch-bar 56, contact 56, wire 19, terminal15.

. Taking for granted that the relay-switch 83-85-84 has been closed bydepressing button 98 to release the switch-latch 95, the electricheateris at once put into operation, its circuit being terminal 15, wire 8|,heater 24, wire 82, terminal 83, switch-contact 85, terminal 84, wire85, terminal 16.

As the temperature of the oil in the vaporization-chamber 2| increases,the small amount of water which the oil contains will be vaporized andthe discharged water vapor will be drawn off through the suction-pumpand delivered into pipe 31.

Such evolution or discharge of steam or water vapor may cause a smallamount of the oil to foam or fluff, but inasmuch as such foaming oil iscontained within the bafile 26, the water vapor passes oif without anymaterial loss of oil and without any disturbance in the main body of oilin the tank I Whereas this new appliance may not entirely eliminatefoaming or frothing of the oil, it nevertheless reduces it insubstantial measure and prevents its interference with the main body ofoil.

As the temperature of the oil in the chamber 2| increases, other vaporsare discharged and pass into the pipe 3'! in which some or all of themmay be condensed and the condensate flows down into the diluent-tank 38.

When the oil in the chamber 2| reaches a temperature above thevaporizing temperature of both the free and entrained water vapors, thethermostat 29 begins to open the valve 28, so that the heated oil mayfiow through the port 21 into the tank H, the oil passing into thechamber 2| at its lower end through the now open valve 28.

Valve 28 starts to open desirably at about 260 Fahrenheit and it willhave opened sufiiciently not to restrict the thermo-syphon flow of theoil through tube 2| when the oil leaving the port 21 is above 350Fahrenheit.

The small portion of the total quantity of oil in the appliance in thevaporization chamber 2| may be raised only to the maximum temperature of400 to 425 Fahrenheit, which assures the eifective removal of thevaporizable contaminating constituent-s and which, at the same time,eliminates the possibility of cracking or injuring the oil.

The hot oil rises in the chamber and by thermo-syphon action isdelivered as indicated through the port 21 into the main body of oilbelow the surface of the latter, thus creating no substantial mechanicaldisturbance in the oilsupply.

Thus, it will be understood, the continuous heating of the small portionof the oil causes a gradual circulation of the whole body of oil throughthe vaporization tube 2 it being obvious that temperature and time arefactors in eliminating the objectionable dilution.

It is more or less important that the first time that the oil flowsthrough the small tube its entire water content shall be removed, sothat on its subsequent travel therethrough at a higher temperature thereis no danger of excessive foaming or fiufling by reason of the steamgenerated.

In actual practice, the whole body of oil usually travels through therelatively-small heated chamber or tube 2| about three times, the entireamount of water and some diluent being driven ofi the first time throughand the remainder of the diluent being removed during the subsequenttravel of oil through the still.

Thus the operation of the apparatus continues until the whole mass ofoil reaches a temperature of approximately 325 Fahrenheit, whereupon thetemperature-indicator 49 closes the contacts 47, 48 together, with theresult that the electromagnet 93 of the relay becomes energized, itscircuit being as follows: Terminal '55, wire 81, contact 41, contact 48,wire 38, terminal 89, electromagnet coil '93, terminal 9|, wire 9-2,relay-contact 8 3, relay contact 85, relay-contact 84, wire 86, switchterminal 16.

Such energization of the relay-coil attracts the relay-armature, therebyopening the switch 83, 85, 84, thus breaking the circuit of theelectricheater at this point, but the suction fan or pump remains inoperation so as to continue to abstract the vapors which are given offthereafter from the hot oil.

It is not desirable to filter the oil at the high temperature of 325Fahrenheit, as oil at that temperature will pass too readily through thefilter mass, and, accordingly, means are provided to filter the oil at alesser temperature, not exceeding 315 Fahrenheit.

When the temperature-indicator 46 registers about 315 Fahrenheit, oreven 325 Faahrenheit, valve 59 is manually opened and the thermostat 64will open the delivery-valve 63 if the oil to be discharged is not inexcess of 315 Fahrenheit, so that the oil at that or a lower temperaturewill be fed into the filters through which it passes successively downinto the reservoir 51.

It is to be understood that valve 63 and its control thermostat 64 allowthe oil to flow out only at a temperature 315 Fahrenheit or less, itbeing noted that the discharging oil contacts with the thermostat andthis in turn regulates the opening of the valve.

Stated somewhat differently, valve 63 controls the discharge of the oilinto the filters at a rate substantially equal to the drop in oiltemperature; that is to say, as the temperature decreases, the flowincreases, and this is roughly proportioned to the speed of flow throughthe filter-beds.

The sludge which may accumulate in the pocket l5 does not circulate withthe thermosyphon travel of the oil, because it is too heavy and there istoo great adhesion between it and the walls.

When a temperature of 250 Fahrenheit is shown by the indicator 56, allof the oil will have been delivered to the filters, thus assuring thatall oil fed tothe filters is at a proper temperature for most efiicientfiltration.

Obviously, as the oil is gradually discharged into the filters, theoil-level in the tank H descends, and when it has reached apredetermined point, the fioat 52 will snap switch-bar 50 away fromcontact 54, and, while maintaining engagement with contact 55, it willbear on contact 55, breaking the circuit of the electric-motor 35 andthus stopping the suction-fan which could perform no further usefulfunction.

The float is so located that the heaters for the vaporization-chamberare shut off whenever the level of the oil is below port 21, otherwiseit would be possible to turn on the unit and not have thermo-syphonaction of the oil through the chamber or tube 2|, resulting inoverheating the oil in the tube 24.

Pipe 4| permits the hot air in the upper part of the diluent-tank toenter tank hence in a measure satisfying the vacuum but primarilycausing a motion of the vapors in the tank and energizing the removal ofthe vapors rising from the oil; this arrangement of parts alsoeconomically taking advantage of the heat of such air matically held inopen position by the catch or latch 95 engaging the notched plate 91 andthe switch must be closed by releasing such latch through downwardpressure on the button 98 before the operation of the appliance canagain be started.

Such movement of the push-button depresses the catch or latch andreleases the armature and its associated contact 85, so that under theaction of spring 99 they unitedly swing away from the magnet-coil, andcontact 85 then bridges contacts 83 and 84.

In order to prevent the push-button 98 from closing the switch 83-85-84and completing the circuit of the heater when there is no oil, or aninadequate quantity of oil, in the apparatus, the connection 94 isemployed.

When float 52 descends, as set forth above, switch 53 automaticallybreaks the connection between terminals 56 and 55 and opens the circuitof the electric-motor, thus stopping the suction-fan, but at the sametime switch-bar 58' establishes connection between the terminals 55 and56, hence energizing the magnet-coil 13 through the members l5, 19, 56,55, 94, B9, 93, 9i, 92, 83, 85, 84, 86, E5.

The magnet immediately attracts its. armature and opens switch 838584,breaking its own circuit which remains interrupted because thespring-actuated catch or latch 95, by engagement with plate 91, holdsthe armature of the magnet 83 and 84, the circuit through the relay-coilwill be reestablished and the switch 83--85-84 will be immediatelyautomatically opened again and the contact 83 will remain locked in openposition.

It will be noted that the movable switch contact 85 is in the circuit ofthe heater as well as in that of the temperature-indicator, and, as aresult, the appliance cannot be set into operation if it has aninsufficient amount of oil in it, and if a proper amount of oil isemployed, as soon as it reaches the predetermined temperature the heateris automatically cut out.

Those acquainted with this art will understand that various changes maybe made in the structure shown and described without departure from theprinciples of the invention defined by the appended claims and withoutthe loss or sacrifice 01 any of the material benefits or advantagesaccruing from the employment of the invention.

I claim:

. 1. In an impure oil reclaimer, the combination of a receptacle to holdthe oil to be treated, means to admit the oil to be treated into saidreceptacle, a relatively-small-volume vaporization-chamber in which theimpure oil is heated, a conduit con necting the interior of saidreceptacle to the interior of the lower portion of said chamber, asecond conduit connecting the interior of said receptacle to theinterior of the upper portion of said chamber, means to heat thecontents of said chamber to expel the vaporizable contaminating Iconstitutents from the impure oil therein and to cause a thermo-siphoncirculation of the oil from the receptacle through the chamber and backinto the receptacle, means to remove the vapors expelled from the oilfrom the reclaimer, and means to deliver the purified oil from thereclaimer.

2. The structure presented in claim I in combination with automaticallyacting means governing the flow of oil through the chamber by thetemperature of the oil near the top portion of said chamber.

3. The structure presented in claim 1 in combination with a valvecontrolling the flow of oil from the eceptacle into the chamber throughthe first conduit and a thermostat in the oil near the top of thechamber regulating the action of said valve.

PAUL WILLIAMS.

